Chapter 18: Chapter Seventeen: Ding Huan

Ding Huan was the last to arrive at the classroom; Geng Qianxing and three students were already there.

In fact, for Fang Chong, Li Wanran, and Lü Zi, coming here or not made no difference.

But their families had invested great effort to secure them a qualification for the assessment, so they at least needed to show some attitude.

Fang Chong, Li Wanran, Lü Zi, and Geng Qianxing all watched curiously as Ding Huan kept pulling out glass tubes filled with reagents from his bag—was he going to conduct an experiment?

There's no gene experiment on the Blue Star's top ten academies' assessment list, is there?

After arranging everything, Ding Huan spoke in a grave tone, "I'll be honest with you: the items I've placed here would be fought over even at ten billion Alliance Credits."

The three students stared at Ding Huan in silence; in their eyes, he didn't seem like the type to exaggerate—what was going on today?

Ten billion? Why not say a hundred billion or a trillion?

Only Geng Qianxing's eyes gleamed; last time, Ding Huan had also made grand claims in front of him, and he'd thought Ding Huan was just a blowhard.

But it turned out Ding Huan had real talent—just one sentence had enabled him to complete his endurance gene research.

What about today?

No, these aren't gene serums, are they? If they are, this guy's audacity truly knows no bounds.

Ding Huan paid no mind to their glances and continued, "Therefore, before undergoing my quality and potential enhancement training, I expect none of you to reveal today's lesson content for the next three years."

Of course, if you're unwilling to accept my quality enhancement training, this is your final chance to leave."

Ding Huan estimated he could reach Level Three Gene Cultivator level within a year; Level Three Gene Cultivator should barely touch the edge of a Postnatal Martial Artist, right?

By then, few would be able to challenge him.

The reason I say three years is just for safety.

Even if these fools can't hold out for three years before speaking, they'll at least last a year.

Next is character: these three have at least been trained with my effort; if their character is decent, I won't mind helping them further later.

If these people forget who taught them, then so be it.

In truth, I'm not afraid now—but I don't want to waste energy elsewhere; I don't even have enough time for cultivation.

The current martial artist cultivation tiers on Earth were established after the planet's environmental mutation, originally divided into External Force Martial Artist, Internal Force Martial Artist, Postnatal Martial Artist, and Preternatural Martial Artist.

As martial artists grew more numerous and their power differences became increasingly subtle, this tier system clearly could no longer distinguish their strength.

Later, as gene-fanged beasts ran rampant, some weaker secluded families and sects hiding in Shenshan left the mountains.

They collaborated with the Martial Arts Alliance, redefining martial artist tiers based on existing martial paths:

External Force Martial Artist, Internal Force Martial Artist, Yellow Grade Martial Artist, Dark Grade Martial Artist, Earth Grade Martial Artist, Postnatal Martial Artist, Preternatural Martial Artist.

Only a martial artist who can wield internal force with complete mastery qualifies as a Yellow Grade Martial Artist.

In other words, only Yellow Grade Martial Artists truly reach the martial artist tier.

According to Ding Huan's estimation, a Postnatal Martial Artist corresponds roughly to a Level Five to Six Gene Cultivator, while a Preternatural Martial Artist's strength should equal that of a Level Seven or higher Gene Cultivator.

When Ding Huan left Earth in his previous life, there seemed to be no Preternatural Martial Artists yet on Earth.

As for above Preternatural, Ding Huan guessed it would equate to a Gene Foundation Establishment powerhouse.

"Teacher Ding, are these gene serums, and are we supposed to drink them?" Fang Chong asked hesitantly.

Ding Huan said, "Whether these are gene serums or not, you don't need to know now; you only need to know these items will greatly benefit you at your current stage."

"Teacher Ding…" Geng Qianxing trusted Ding Huan, but the constant display of gene serums made him even more anxious.

Moreover, from Ding Huan's tone, these might truly be gene serums today.

He deeply admired Ding Huan's understanding of gene serums, but he flatly refused to believe Ding Huan had produced three distinct gene serums tailored to each of their quality enhancements in just one day.

Seeing their hesitation, Ding Huan smiled, "This is entirely voluntary, so I won't force anyone. Moreover, I must mention one thing in advance:

After consuming these bodily quality-enhancing serums, your strength on Earth may be capped at Level Nine Gene Cultivator.

Whether you can break through that limit later, I don't know."

He said this because, within his current knowledge system, the Spirit Root gene serum must be the first consumed.

Once you ingest any other gene serum, you forfeit the chance to fuse the Spirit Root gene.

Just like Geng Qianxing, after consuming the endurance gene serum, Ding Huan never discussed Spirit Root genes with him again.

Still, Ding Huan felt this issue could be resolved—unfortunately, his current abilities couldn't solve it yet.

Hearing Ding Huan's words, Fang Chong and the others all grimaced.

Level Nine Gene Cultivator?

Not to mention them—even on Earth, does any Gene Cultivator reach Level Three?

The Gene Alliance's gene cultivation system is divided from Level One to Level Nine Gene Cultivator—Level Nine is the absolute top.

Those below Level One, the gene-fused cultivators, are merely classified as Gene Abilities users.

If Ding Huan hadn't seemed so serious, Fang Chong would have wanted to say,

"I wish I were capped at Level Nine Gene Cultivator—Teacher Ding, hurry up and bind my talent."

"Teacher Ding, I'll do it. I'm willing to try. Regardless of success or failure, I won't reveal your lesson content for three years."

To Ding Huan's surprise, the first to step forward was Li Wanran.

"Good. Drink these two." Ding Huan handed her two vials labeled with her name.

Li Wanran took them without the slightest hesitation and drank them down in one go.

Watching Li Wanran finish the serums, Fang Chong couldn't help asking, "Li Wanran, how do you feel?"

Li Wanran closed her eyes, sensed for a moment, then opened them and shook her head, "No reaction at all—like drinking water."

Geng Qianxing finally exhaled in relief; he'd feared Ding Huan was giving them gene serums.

Normally, gene serums produce some symptoms upon ingestion, though the intensity varies.

Something with zero reaction? That's not a gene serum.

"Teacher, I'll drink mine too." Fang Chong, seeing Li Wanran was unharmed, relaxed.

Lü Zi and Fang Chong both voluntarily drank two vials of the serum after Li Wanran finished hers.

"Teacher Ding, is this a Chinese herbal serum to enhance physical fitness?" Geng Qianxing couldn't help asking again.

"Not yet. You'll need to follow me and learn Gene Meditation before it counts as enhancing physical fitness," Ding Huan explained.

In fact, these two vials—one enhances the body's ability to integrate other genes, the other aids in obvious gene cultivation.

"Teacher, what is Gene Meditation?" Fang Chong asked immediately.

Ding Huan explained, "Gene Meditation is a method of gene cultivation. Many people who fuse genes don't know what to do next—this is the most wasteful way to fuse genes."

"Teacher Ding, do you have a method of gene cultivation?" Geng Qianxing was stunned by Ding Huan's words.

Not only Geng Qianxing, but the other three were also stunned.

Those who possess methods of gene cultivation are, besides the military and major factions and top families, only the Top Ten Colleges of Blue Star.

This is one reason why the Top Ten Colleges of Blue Star are so attractive—after all, entering one gives you a chance to obtain a method of gene cultivation.

Ordinary people can buy top-tier gene serums to fuse, but obtaining a method of gene cultivation is a dream.

Why are the Top Ten Colleges of Blue Star so hard to enter? The method of gene cultivation is the most important reason—some candidates begin gene cultivation before the exam.

Imagine your opponent has been practicing gene cultivation all along, while you only have a qualifying foundation—how can you possibly surpass them?

"Teacher, are you serious?" Fang Chong clenched his fists in excitement—could they really obtain a method of gene cultivation?

Ding Huan said, "Yes. My Gene Meditation is a modification built upon earlier foundations—it's a completely new gene cultivation technique."

Ding Huan wasn't boasting—his past life, though he became a Level Four Gene Cultivator, relied on a truly terrible Gene Meditation method.

After studying the Luo Shi Jing, Ding Huan knew this was the true gene cultivation technique.

But those without Gene Spirit Roots cannot cultivate the Luo Shi Jing, so he modified Gene Meditation.

He could cultivate Gene Meditation thanks to the Luo Shi Jing, plus the knowledge on the parchment about gene cultivation and Spirit Root cultivation.

"Teacher Ding, please teach us. I swear I won't reveal anything about the cultivation," Fang Chong nearly stood up, so agitated was he.

Li Wanran and Lü Zi also stared at Ding Huan eagerly—they'd clearly been hit by this massive cake.

"Teacher Ding, can I also cultivate with you?" Geng Qianxing could no longer hold back—he wanted gene cultivation too.

"Of course. When I have time, I'll also prepare something to enhance your physical fitness for you," Ding Huan said.

Fang Chong and the other two finally understood why Teacher Ding had told them not to leak the training content—this gene cultivation technique? Who in their right mind would reveal it?

At this moment, Ding Huan's image towered in their eyes.

Ding Huan packed up the items on the table and said, "Today I'll teach you the gene cultivation technique. Train here during the day—ask questions immediately if you have any."

Then every night, you must cultivate for at least eight hours. After half a month, I'll teach you martial arts techniques."